Cycling: There were quite a few highlights in last year's edition of the Tour of France. For many German fans, Simon Geschke's fight for the mountain jersey was the top priority. Can he score points again this time?
https://velomotion.de/2023/06/radsport-tour-de-france-vorschau-pogacar-vingegaard/
Geschke is there - and again hungry for points
Have seven points Simon Geschke (Cofidis) was missing last year to receive the prestigious mountain jersey in Paris. After all, it was enough to become the new German record holder. The disappointment was still great, because the vegan was so close to what is probably his greatest success besides his Tour stage win in 2015. However, his statements immediately afterwards - and especially his statements in the past few weeks - indicate that he also at the Tour de France 2023 will try again. In his Cofidis team there is a man for the general classification in Guillaume Martin and someone for the sprint finishes in Bryan Coquard. Still, Simoni will get his chance to go in groups, go for stage wins and fight for points. It remains to be seen whether his form is good enough, because after a strong start to the season he was thrown back a bit by a Covid illness.
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Who else could wear a mountain jersey?
Unfortunately, the mountain jersey has received a little too little attention in recent years. Rarely do riders decide before the start of a Tour de France to steadily accumulate points for it. Again this year it will be difficult to name a favorite in the Basque country. In the first week, however, we can assume that I will again Magnus Court (EF Education - EasyPost) will endeavor to do so, as will the wildcard teams. Because in Spain it is the hills and not the mountains that give the first points. Apart from the top favorites for the overall victory - Tadej pogacar (UAE) and jonas vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma) – all those who do less well in the overall ranking than originally planned should have a good chance of winning the mountain jersey. So one could david gaudu (Groupama – FDJ) just as suddenly drive onto the dotted one as a Richard Carapaz (EF Education - EasyPost), a Simon yates (Jayco—AlUla) or a Enric Mas Nicolau (Movistar).
Is the mountain jersey going to a Frenchman?
At his last Tour de France is also Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) a hot potato. But you probably have the best chances with a tip on his compatriot Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal - Quick Step). The Frenchman already won the mountain jersey in 2018. A year later he triumphed Romain Bardet (DSM) – he would also be a candidate.